Littleton school budget approved

LITTLETON -- The School Committee adopted the fiscal 2014 budget at Thursday's budget public hearing, supporting the 5 percent increase from last year and no layoffs for faculty and staff.

Members unanimously approved the $16.4 million budget, an increase of $781,990 from last year, and the budget keeps all employees on board, a difference from when 8.4 full-time workers were laid off last year. The proposal now heads to residents at the annual Town Meeting on May 6.

"We're very pleased with this budget, and our thanks go out to the residents of Littleton to enable it to happen. We just get the opportunity to spend the money," said Chairman Paul Avella.

"This is a process where many folks were involved, from the School Committee to the school administration, town administrator, Board of Selectmen and the Finance Committee, and everyone worked together to meet the needs in our schools," he added.

The final budget was $15.6 million in fiscal 2013, but with a proposed increase in salaries for faculty and staff, the total budget proposal calls for a 5 percent increase to $16.4 million in fiscal 2014, which spans from July 1, 2013 to June 30, 2014.

Last year's budget for the district salaries was $10.9 million, but the budget proposes $11.7 million in salaries this year, a 7 percent increase.

"The salary increase might look steep, but you need to keep in mind that the salary increase is really a two-year jump," said member Michael Fontanella.

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"The Littleton Educators Association agreed to defer their step increases in the FY13 budget, so in the FY14 budget, we're making that up with a two-year increase."

Teachers' "steps and lanes" account for $552,165 of the $785,691 proposed salary increase for fiscal 2014. Steps are given for experience, and lanes are given to teachers who finish a certain number of courses toward their master's or beyond a master's.

The budget proposal includes the following increases: $55,000 in transportation; $20,000 in professional development; $15,000 in educator evaluation software and training; $8,700 for the restoration of Russell Street after-school activities; and $7,000 for software costs.

Superintendent of Schools Kelly Clenchy said the cost controls for the budget proposal include: level staffing for classrooms and academic programs, managing and controlling energy costs by increasing energy education, working with other districts and collaboratives on joint purchasing initiatives and reducing paper use with electronic newsletters/handbooks.

While Clenchy was pleased with the budget proposal, there are still concerns moving forward.

"Energy costs can be uncertain in this market, and they generally rise," Clenchy said.

"Transportation costs go up, for both regular education and special education, and there's an increased reliance on revolving funds. And there can be further cuts or level funding of local aid. We need that funding to maintain our current configuration."

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